I've seen a few old Ford heaters but they're usually 6 volts and pretty expensive. I was considering a Flex-a-lite Mojave heater but I was still looking at $200. and I only need some source of heat on those cool summer nights (when my wife is "freezing" but I'm comfortable). I decided to try to make a low budget heater. I bought a heater core from advance auto parts (1995 taurus, $35. and I had a gift card for $20. It's small, about 9"L x 6"H). I cut up some sheet metal in the garage (I had it laying around, freebies from a friend who works in a sheet metal shop) and I cut and welded this unit (see below). I found a 6" amplifier cooling fan (not sure if it will be strong enough, 121 cfm but the mojave is only 140 cfm so it might work, plus for $11. it's worth a try). If not, I'll go find a blower motor at (another) friends collision shop from a wreck and adapt it to the rear of the heater. Just need to plasma cut a hole in the back panel and figure out which fan will work best (then take it to work and paint it). I'm going to wire an on-off switch with it. Any thoughts or ideas?

Wally

1951 F1- "Lucille"

 

Looks like it will work well. I have a very similar heater in my '51. It's an old after market 50's accessory heater and keeps the truck warm as toast.

The only one thing you might consider is a variable switch that will run the fan both ways. Not just blowing hot air but pulling hot air through the matrix making it less direct. This option is nice when you just need a little warm air to take the chill off the cab.

Just a thought. Nice to make stuff yourself eh?

 

Looks great, chrome it and put a ford insignia on the grill.

 

Nice job! When is it going into production?

 

I think I have this all figured out. I'm going to cut a hole in the back plate of the heating unit and weld a 4" sleave to it (an exhaust pipe will work). I found a 4" boat bilge blower on ebay for $30. that displaces 240cfm and can be mounted either directly behind the heater (I'd have to extend the bottom plate for mounting and hope I have about 8" of depth under the dash) or I can mount it to the firewall (inside the cab) and run a flexible tube to the heater itself. Should work, and only $60. worth of parts!
Chroming it would look sweet but I'm thinking of painting it black because I can do it at work for free. It'll still look good (maybe paint the grill silver or gray).

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

Wally, You haven't mentioned a heater water valve in the engine bay. Either a on/off valve with or without a choke cable to the cab. Summer is hot enough in the cab, but not restricting the water will add additional heat with just water flow, fan off. chuck

 

YES... very good point and I had thought of this. "Modern" vehicles use a blend door (and actuator... anyone with an Explorer would know about a blend door actuator since they often fail, ben there, done that) so I'm planning on a shut off valve under the hood coming into the heater core. I'm only planning on needing the heater on special occations so opening the hood and opening it isn't too much of a hassle. Thanks for the post, this is a good thing to know (who needs more heat in the summer!)

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

Wally, that is awesome! Can't wait to see it finished!

 

You could install a heater control valve: Cable Operated Heater Control Valve

and operate it with an aftermarket choke cable from inside the cab. But that would add another $15 or so to your budget minded project. Nice work on the box.

Edit: Came across an actual Ford Motorcraft part that should work as well. http://www.sarad.com/productinfo.aspx?p=230551

 

Yep and install it something like this...



These valves were used in '68-'76 F-series that had a std. heater. Works like a champ in my '56.

 

Pretty slick (and simple)... I'll most likely go this route. Thanks for the visual.

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

I thought of adding one of these valves to my home grown heater but I had the concern that the hot water would still eventually circulate up from the lower return hose.

 

Thanks for the info. I tried to purchase the first listing but they wouldn't process my order because it wasn't over their minimum order of $15. (it was $14.95 plus shipping which technically added up to $27.94 with tax and shipping?) so I did a little more searching and bought this one on ebay. $19.95 with shipping!

Thanks again,

Wally

1951 F1 - "Lucille"

 

Wally,

First, I want to say the title for this post is very deceiving, I don't think you are "attempting", I think you have succeeded. It looks really good.

I would suggest silver Hammertone paint like the original. Very durable paint and comes out of a spray can. You can find it at almost any hardware store.

 

I used the throttle control cable for my heater water control valve, since my carb doesn't have provisions for the hand throttle. BTW the Ford control valve is easy to find at the boneyard and for less than $5